Bobbin sorting

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for sorting filled bobbins from empty bobbins. The bobbins are deposited on a platform which declines transversely toward a retaining surface so that the bobbins roll on the platform and against the retaining surface. Pushers segregate the bobbins from each other on the platform and move each bobbin serially from a wide portion of the platform onto a portion of the platform sufficiently narrow that larger diameter filled bobbins will roll overcenter across an edge of the platform to be collected in any suitable manner. However, the smaller diameter bobbins generally devoid of yarn are cradled on the narrow portion of the platform and the retaining surface and do not roll overcenter. Rather, the empty bobbins are conveyed to an end of the platform and are deposited in any suitable collecting means separate from the collecting means for the bobbins having yarn. The narrow portion of the platform is adjustable so that the edge of the platform over which the bobbins roll overcenter may be moved toward or away from the retaining surface for sorting different diameter bobbins.

mite States Patent 1 Tata 1 1 BOBBIN SORTING 75 Inventor: Raymond v. Tata, Warwick, R.l.

[7 3] Assignee: Leesona Corporation, Warwick, R.l.

[22] Filed: June 21, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 155,122

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 857,750, Sept. 15,

1969. abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl 209/90, 209/97, 198/174 [51] Int. Cl B07b 13/04 [58] Field of Search..... 209/82, 83, 85, 97, 90, 100;

Primary ExaminerAllen N. Knowles Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Albert P. Davis; Burnett W. Norton [451 Feb. 26, 1974 l 5 7 ABSTRACT An apparatus for sorting filled bobbins from empty bobbins. The bobbins are deposited on a platform which declines transversely toward a retaining surface so that the bobbins roll on the platform and against the retaining surface. Pushers segregate the bobbins from each other on the platform and move each bobbin serially from a wide portion of the platform onto a portion of the platform sufficiently narrow that larger diameter filled bobbins will roll overcenter across an edge of the platform to be collected in any suitable manner. However, the smaller diameter bobbins generally devoid of yarn are cradled on the narrow portion of the platform and the retaining surface and do not roll overcenter. Rather, the empty bobbins are conveyed to an end of the platform and are deposited in any suitable collecting means separate from the collecting means for the bobbins having yarn. The narrow portion of the platform is adjustable so that the edge of the platform over which the bobbins roll overcenter may be moved toward or away from the retaining surface for sorting different diameter bobbins.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENT ED H5826 I974 m T N E V m RAYMOND V TATA 7 BMW.

, ATTORNEYS BOBBIN SORTING This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 857,750 filed Sept. 15, 1969 now abandoned.

This invention relates to bobbin handling and, more particularly, to sorting bobbins having yarn from bobbins devoid of yarn.

As used herein the term bobbin" means an article on which a body of yarn is or may be wound so that it may be moved from place to place. The term filled bobbin means a bobbin whether full or partially full of yarn. The term empty bobbin means a bobbin substantially or completely devoid of yarn wound thereon. The term yarn is employed in a general sense to apply to all kinds of strand material either textile or otherwise.

Various expedients have been proposed for separating filled bobbins from empty bobbins. Such expedients include feelers for gauging the diameter of the bobbin and responsive to the larger diameter of a filled bobbin or the smaller diameter of an empty bobbin for operating mechanism such as an air jet or a ram which removes either the filled or the empty bobbins. Instead of using a feeler, the presence of yarn may be sensed by a photo-cell which actuates the means for ejecting either the filled or empty bobbins. However such sorting apparatus involves moving parts such as the feeler which may wear or otherwise get out of adjustment, or expensive equipment and circuitry such as a photo-cell and the related electrical control system as well as compressed air and a nozzle, or articulated mechanical apparatus such as a ram, or the like, for ejecting the bobbin. Another type of proposed sorter utilizes a surface over which an empty bobbin may slide more easily than a bobbin having yarn wound thereon. Under ideal circumstances such an apparatus may work adequately well, but a difficulty therein is that there is far less surface on a partially filled bobbin in contact with the discriminating surface than there is on an empty bobbin so that discrimination between partially filled and empty bobbins may not be too accurate. Furthermore, the discriminating surface is subject to collecting lint and ocher foreign matter which may substantially change its discriminating characteristic. Additionally, a fixed go-no-go gauge type of sorter has an obvious disadvantage in that the diameter of partially filled bobbins will, of course, vary from bobbin to bobbin, and

some of these bobbins are quite likely to jam in the gauge.

The invention, in brief, is directed to an apparatus and a method for sorting different diameter bobbins and, more particularly for sorting empty bobbins from filled bobbins. The empty bobbins are retained on a platform and the filled bobbins roll overcenter from the platform for collection in any suitable means. The empty bobbins are removed from another portion of the platform.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for sorting bobbins. A related object is to provide such apparatus for sorting larger diameter bobbins from smaller diameter bobbins.

A further object is to provide a new and improved apparatus for sorting filled bobbins from empty bobbins by provision of a gauge which retains the empty bobbins while permitting the filled bobbins to pass therefrom. A related object is provision of such apparatus which is adapted to be readily adjustable for accommodating various diameter bobbins. Another related object is provision of such apparatus in which the filled bobbins roll overcenter from the sorting apparatus.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, schematic elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, with parts broken away and removed for clearer illustration;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, schematic top view of the apparatus looking generally in the direction of the arrow 2 in FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged schematic sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawing, the apparatus includes a sheet metal body having spaced apart end housings l2 and 14 and therebetween a connecting member 16- which may be provided with suitable mounting brackets 18. The body 10 is inclined from the left or .lower housing 12 to the right or upper housing 14, as shown in FIG. 1, to elevate bobbins 20. At its left end the body 10 has a chute 22 for receiving the bobbins from a continuous vertical conveyor 24 with side members 25 attached to the chute 22 and carrying a conveyor belt 26 with a run 28 moving downwardly adjacent the chute 22 as indicated by the arrow 30 in FIG. 1. The conveyor belt 26 has flights 32 which on the upwardly moving run (FIG. 2) are concavely arched upwardly so that the bobbin 20 is cradled therein and as a flight 32 moves across the upper return portion of its travel the bobbin drops onto the next lower flight 32 which is convexly arched downwardly so that the bobbin rolls into the chute 22;

The chute 22, as may best be seen in FIG. 3, include an outer vertical sidewall 34, which is attached to the conveyor side members 25, and is formed integrally with a bottom wall 36 suitably fixedly attached to the bottom face of the connecting member 16 between the two end housings l2 and 14. An end wall38 is fixedly attached to the sidewall 34 and to the bottom wall 36 for retaining the bobbins 20 against sliding movement downardly in the chute 22. An inner sidewall 40 of the chute is fixedly secured to the end wall 38, to the bottom wall 36, and by means of an integral flange 42 to an upper face of the lower housing 12 from which it declines into the chute 22 and then has a slight return bend 44 and downwardly from this bend covers a chain 46 of another bobbin conveyor 48, (described later), to prevent the bobbins 20 from contacting thechain 46 as the bobbins drop into the chute 22.

As the bobbins 20 drop into the chute 22 they roll across the declining bottom wall 36 and against abutment means in the form of a retaining member 50 which is a generally vertical wall integral with and extending upwardly from the connecting member 16, and also extends between the upper and lower housings. Thus, the bobbins 20 are cradled between the upper surface of the bottom wall 36 of the chute and the retaining member 50.

The bobbins 20 are moved by the chain conveyor 48 along the bottom wall 36 of the chute 22 and onto a member in the form of an adjustable platform 52 declining toward the retaining member 50 in the same manner as does the bottom wall 36 of the chute. This platform is mounted on the connecting member 16 by means of nuts 54 fixed to the upper surface of the connecting member and by wing bolts 56 each extending through an elongated slot 58 in the platform 52 and each threadedly engaging one of the nuts 54 so that a free outer edge 60 of the platform 52 may be moved toward or away from the retaining member 50.

Each bobbin is preferably delivered to the chute 22 in timed relationship with pushers 62 on the chain 46 of the chain conveyor 48. This chain 46 is mounted on a drive sprocket 64 in the lower housing 12, and on another sprocket (not shown) and journalled in the upper housings 14. The drive sprocket 64 in the lower housing 12 is connected to the drive shaft 66 of a suitable motor 68, such as a pneumatic motor, for example. In order to maintain the timed relationship between the conveyor flights 32 and the pushers 62, the motor 68 may also drive the vertical conveyor 24. The chain is driven in -a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow 70 in FIG. I, so that the pushers 62 on its lower run engage the bobbins 20 in the chute 22 to move the bobbins across the bottom wall 36 of the chute and onto the platform 52.

As may best be seen by the phantom lines in FIG. 3, empty bobbins 20(1) are received on the platform 52 and are cradled between the platform 52 and the retaining member 50. However, filled bobbins 20(2) are pushed onto the platform 52 and will roll overcenter across the platforms edge 60 and off of the platform into'a discharge chute 72 for removal from the apparatus. The empty bobbins are pushed to a slightly wider portion 74 (FIG. 2) of the platform 52 which assures that they now remain on the platform and continue to be pushed to an edge 76 (FIG. 1) of the platform 52, this edge 76 being transverse to the previously mentioned edge 60, and the empty bobbinsare pushed off of the transverse edge 76 and onto a generally horizontal conveyor belt 78 or other suitable means for removing them from the apparatus.

It may occur that each of the several conveyor flights 32 will carry more than one bobbin up to chute 22 for delivery thereinto. In this event, it is necessary that the several bobbins dumped into chute 22 at one time be segregated. Otherwise, if the bobbins were permitted to be moved along bottom wall 36 and onto platform 52 in ganged fashion the bobbins might be so interlocked or entangled as to commence a cascading of all the ganged bobbins off edge 60 and into chute 72 irrespective of whether the bobbins were filled or empty. To preclude such incorrect sorting the distance between each successive pusher 62 is such that only one bobbin may be seated in the pocket between any two pushers as seen in FIG. 2. Thus, the distance between a pair of adjoining pushers is less than twice the length of the bobbins being sorted. Furthermore, the terminal end 80 of each pusher 62 is configured to be approximately the width of the butt of each bobbin and is aligned to bear against the butt of each bobbin, as best seen in FIG. 3. Consequently, only one bobbin at a time can be seated in front of any given pusher 62 for linear movement thereby by virtue of the relative spacing of the pusher. Additionally, since the end 80 of each pusher is only so wide as to engage the butt of one bobbin any further bobbins residing in chute 22 are not advanced by the given pusher but are merely pushed aside until an empty space or pocket between two pushers is available, at which time the next succeeding bobbin in chute 22 will roll into position for advance by the next oncoming pusher.

The apparatus may, if desired, decline from the receiving chute, as 22, to the transverse edge, as 76, to permit the bobbinsto move under the influence of gravity, and without a pusher or other conveying means, to the release locations, either edges or 76.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for sorting filled bobbins wound with a supply of yarn and substantially empty bobbins which are generally free of supply yarn thereon wherein said filled bobbins have relatively large diameters and said empty bobbins have relatively small diameters comprising, a platform having first and second edge portions transverse 'to each other and having a storage portion of sufficient width to store a plurality of bobbins in a generally side by side relationship upstream of said first and second edge portions, means for moving each of said bobbins individually along said platform toward said second end portion and generally in the direction of said first end portion, abutment means for positioning each said filled bobbin to drop off of said first edge portion, said abutment means cooperating with; said platform to retain each said empty bobbin on said platform until the moving means moves each said empty bobbin across said second edge portion, said means for moving each said bobbin including a plurality of members spaced from each other by a predetermined distance, each said member having a bobbin engaging portion movable in a path closely adjacent said abutment means and extending across said storage portion of said platform a distance sufficient to engage only an individual bobbin at a time for movement along said platform, each of said members being arranged to move an individual bobbin along said platform and to maintain a predetermined spatial relationship between each of said individual bobbins being so moved.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said moving means engages each said bobbin on said platform and moves all of the bobbins on the platform along said platform at the same rate of speed.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said moving means includes endless means, said members being mounted on said endless means for movement in an endless path therewith.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said bob bins are of predetermined length and the spacing between each adjacent pair of said members is less than twice the distance of a bobbin.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said abutment means includes a wall disposed generally perpendicular to said first edge portion.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5' wherein said first edge portion is positioned a predetermined distance from said wall, and including means for adjusting the distance between said wall and first edge portion.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including conveyor means for delivering said bobbins to said platform in predetermined orientation and in timed relationship with the movement of said moving means.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said platform is inclined, said bobbins rolling across said platform on said incline when released thereto from said conveyor means for engagement by said moving means. 

1. Apparatus for sorting filled bobbins wound with a supply of yarn and substantially empty bobbins which are generally free of supply yarn thereon wherein said filled bobbins have relatively large diameters and said empty bobbins have relatively small diameters comprising, a platform having first and second edge portions transverse to each other and having a storage portion of sufficient width to store a plurality of bobbins in a generally side by side relationship upstream of said first and second edge portions, means for moving each of said bobbins individually along said platform toward said second end portion and generally in the direction of said first end portion, abutment means for positioning each said filled bobbin to drop off of said first edge portion, said abutment means cooperating with said platform to retain each said empty bobbin on said platform until the moving means moves each said empty bobbin across said second edge portion, said means for moving each said bobbin including a plurality of members spaced from each other by a predetermined distance, each said member having a bobbin engaging portion movable in a path closely adjacent said abutment means and extending across said storage portion of said platform a distance sufficient to engage only an individual bobbin at a time for movement along said platform, each of said members being arranged to move an individual bobbin along said platform and to maintain a predetermined spatial relationship between each of said individual bobbins being so moved.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said moving means engages each said bobbin on said platform and moves all of the bobbins on the platform along said platform at the same rate of speed.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said moving means includes endless means, said members being mounted on said endless means for movement in an endless path therewith.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said bobbins are of predetermined length and the spacing between each adjacent pair of said members is less than twice the distance of a bobbin.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said abutment means includes a wall disposed generally perpendicular to said first edge portion.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first edge portion is positioned a predetermined distance from said wall, and including means for adjusting the distance between said wall and first edge portion.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including conveyor means for delivering said bobbins to said platform in predetermined orientation and in timed relationship with the movement of said moving means.
 8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said platform is inclined, said bobbins rolling across said platform on said incline when released thereto from said conveyor means for engagement by said moving means. 